Reserves Suffer Defeat At Hartlepool

29 March 2016

THE Mariners Reserves were on the wrong end of a second half comeback, after losing 2-1 away at Hartlepool United this afternoon in the Final Third Development League.

Grimsby fielded a strong team containing a number of first team players, including the likes of Danny East, Josh Venney, Harry Clifton, Marcus Marshall & Conor Henderson. Chances were frequent in the opening period, with Anthony Straker making his way through on goal, only to be denied by the goalkeeper rushing out to meet the attacker.

Town eventually broke the deadlock after 32 minutes with a tidy finish from Marcus Marshall following a strong run down the left wing. Almost straight after the restart, Hartlepool were close to grabbing an equaliser, but Jones' strike sailed over the crossbar. At the half-time whistle, The Mariners took a slender 1-0 lead back in to the dressing rooms.

A bright second half start from Hartlepool saw numerous attacks halted by young goalkeeper Oakley Heath-Drury, firstly by Duckworth & then from Smith. Despite a number of attacks from the home side, Grimsby remained a threat on the counter attack. Unfortunately, the Town defence was finally breached, as Smith was able to slide and meet a dangerous cross in the 67th minute.

The comeback was complete 10 minutes from time, as Smith scored his second of the game after taking the ball around the keeper and passing it into the net to give the home team the lead.

Grimsby Town Reserves next fixture will be Chesterfield at home on April 6th. The fixture will kick-off at 2pm.